Swedish star Ludvig Aberg carries 1-shot lead into weekend of his U.S. Open debut

Ludvig Aberg and his machine-like game are proving to be a perfect fit for Pinehurst No. 2. The Swedish star methodically worked his way to a 1-under 69 on Friday and a one-shot lead going into the weekend of his U.S. Open debut.

Aberg wasn't flawless — he did miss two fairways on a punishing course — but he avoided big blunders and big numbers on a day of oppressive heat in the North Carolina sandhills that derailed so many others.

He was at 5-under 135 and led by one over Bryson DeChambeau (69), Patrick Cantlay (71) and Thomas Detry (67) going into a weekend that won't include Tiger Woods and barely includes Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., is the top Canadian in the field, sitting four strokes back of Aberg.

Pinehurst No. 2 is tough enough without a heat index that pushed toward 100 degrees (38 Celsius) at the peak of the afternoon, and with just enough wind to cause doubt.

That's just how the 24-year-old Swede likes it.

"It's not an easy golf course to play," Aberg said. "But I felt like we stayed very disciplined, stayed very patient and tried to hit it to our targets all the time. We said beforehand, `See how many good shots we can hit today and see where that ends up."'

He wound up with another chance on a big stage. Just over a year after he graduated from Texas Tech, Aberg already is No. 6 in the world, has won on both sides of the Atlantic, played in a Ryder Cup and was runner-up in the Masters.

"It's the first time I've ever played with him. The guy is like a machine from what I saw," Tony Finau said after a 69 left him only two shots behind. "I obviously am focused on what I'm doing and playing my game, but he hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens.

"He sure makes it